Teaching

I teach courses in neuroscience and neuropharmacology. These courses focus on the neural and pharmacological bases of behavior with an emphasis on brain localization and integration of function, particularly with respect to motivation, cognition and emotion. Laboratory research is directed at investigations using animal models. Follow the link below to course descriptions and additional details.

Research

Work in my lab focuses on the neural bases of appetitive motivation. One line of research is directed at understanding the role of hypothalamic transmitter and peptide systems in relation to energy homeostasis and metabolism. A second line of work focuses on brain reward mechanisms including mesotelencephalic dopamine and ghrelin signaling. In a related line of research my lab is investigating the role of limbic structures in stress and anxiety. Key transmitter systems under investigation include ghrelin, the endocannabinoids and monoamine neurotransmitters.